“There’s no turning back now.”

With that quip, Mayor Richard Ireland and MLA Robin Campbell officially broke ground on the $4.7 million renovation to the Jasper Activity Centre. After years of planning, changes and cost checking, the project officially got under way on April 16.

MLA Robin Campbell said the renovations enhance the community, and will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

“This is a world class destination, and this is just another piece of the puzzle. The Activity Centre has served the community for a long time, and it was time for a facelift,” MLA Campbell said.

Mayor Ireland said improvements to the Activity Centre were truly a community initiative.

“Years ago, in the first term of municipal council in Jasper, we heard the need for an improved fitness centre and a day care centre. We listened and agreed. While time went by, the wheels were turning,” Mayor Ireland said, later calling the centre a legacy.

“This is about more than a building. It’s a legacy. First it will inspire active wellness in an active outdoor community... it will bring the outside in and inspire wellness. Second, it will inspire community engagement. It was not the product of staff, but of citizen’s decree.”

Service at the Activity Centre will be affected by the renovations. Random closures will take place, and project manager Christopher Read encourages residents to check the town website for updates. Demolition work is still being completed and the heat recovery system is ready to be installed, Read said.

“We’re on schedule,” he said. “We have a really good relationship with the general contractor, and we’re finding value as we go,” Read said.

Architect Eric Toker was also on hand for the ground breaking. He called the day an auspicious start to the project.

“The challenge was bringing the vision and budget together,” Toker said. “We incorporated what the town wanted to do, and made it to cost.”

The building aims to achieve a LEED Green certificate, and will be constructed to allow for additional elements to be added at a later date, such as a green roof, and solar panels.